Homecoming 2010 – 99 Years of MU Tradition

M-I-Z-Z-O-U will be chanted loud and proud by thousands of students, faculty, fans and, of course, alumni this Saturday, Oct. 23 as the University of Missouri celebrates its 99th homecoming.

Support the Missouri Tigers at Homecoming 2010.

In fact, the first homecoming was founded by the University of Missouri in 1911 to spark some excitement in the rivalry between Kansas and Missouri. Chester L. Brewer, who was MU’s Director of Athletics at the time, felt alumni should be invited ‘home’ for the game. As part of the homecoming festivities, there was a parade and spirit rally to coincide with the actual football game.

During the 1911 homecoming, more than 9,000 fans gathered into Rollins Field (present day Stankowski Field) thus “Homecoming” was established. Soon other schools took note and emulated this grand tradition.

This year’s homecoming activities will be epic with ESPN College Gameday making its first time appearance on the university’s campus. While homecoming is always a big deal at Mizzou, this will bring positive national attention to the university and the state.

The show will be filmed in two parts, starting Friday beginning 9:20 a.m. to approximately 11:45 a.m. at The Quad, and then continuing on Saturday with live coverage from Francis Quadrangle from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Francis Quadrangle will be open to attendees beginning at 3:30 a.m. Saturday. I plan to be one of those crazy fans there that early with my coffee and sign! The celebrity guest is yet to be announced but I’m really hoping it’s John Hamm. Shout out to all my Mad Men fans.

To kick off your homecoming weekend:

Friday, October 22:
ESPN GameDay schedule for Friday is now set for 9:20 a.m. to approximately 11:45 at The Quad.
Be sure to take a gander around Greektown to view this year’s board game themed house decorations: 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and show your tiger spirit at the Spirit Rally at 7:30 p.m. Burnam and Richmond in Greektown.